Post by robincragin on Dec 7, 2015 10:28:27 GMT -5
Because Wicca is a mystical, shamanic path, establishing a direct link to the divine is a key practice. One way that Witches begin building a bridge to the divine is by approaching it through a sense of wonder. In other words, they set aside all of their preconceived notions about god or goddess. Certainly, as you have done in past days, you might learn specific correspondences and symbolic representations of various deity forms. But these references are not deity themselves. They are, as one Eastern mystic said, “a finger pointing to the moon” rather than the moon itself. In order to know the gods directly, it is important that you begin by opening your consciousness to include any and all possibilities. This then leads someone to wonder, “What is divine?” Is the sacred dimension something that stands over and above everyday life? Over the next two days you will experience these energies of the god and goddess as manifestation of your everyday life. Let us begin with the god.
Practice: A Day in the life of the God
What You’ll Need:
* Four yellow or gold candles
* A essential oil of one of the following herbs: chamomile, clove, cinnamon, bergamot
or rosemary
* Cornmeal

 Despite your physical form, gender or gender-based personality traits, this is a good exercise in which to engage to begin the process of incorporating the divine masculine energy into your life. It doesn’t matter if you are the roughest leatherneck around or the laciest frill-seeker — this exercise will hold power and can open you to significant self-understanding.
Allow yourself some time early in the morning to begin this all-day spiritual task. Begin by making a list of personal traits that you feel represent your own god or spiritually masculine characteristics. Your list can include any traits from your physical body (especially if you are male), to your thought processes, activities, actions, and feelings. This list of personal associations with the god energy does not necessarily need to align with the archetypal, symbolic qualities of the god as described in our explorations of this energy. The list should only relate to your own experiences and personal associations with masculine energy.
Once you have your list, mark out a small circle (4-foot diameter) on the floor (or ground) using the cornmeal. Place the four yellow/gold candles at each of the four compass points (north, east, south and west). Find a comfortable sitting position and then anoint yourself with the essential oil at each of your seven chakra (or body-energy) points. For easy reference, here again are the chakra points:
* The point between anus and genitals
* Just above genitals
* Just below the navel
* Center of chest
* Hollow or base of throat
* Center of brow, between eyes
* Top of head
Light the four candles. Now close your eyes and begin to focus on your breathing. As you inhale, focus on expanding the solar plexus region around the navel. Begin to relax your body and imagine that any muscle tension you detect drops away from you so that the earth absorbs it.
Imagine that the solar plexus region of your body begins to radiate a bright, golden light. This is your energetic connection to the god. Allow this radiating light to expand and grow with each inhaled breath. As the golden light grows, imagine that it fills your entire being. Continue to breathe and watch the energy grow until your entire body is Flooded with this golden energy. When you have finished, open your eyes. How do you feel?
Take a few moments to stay centered in this energy before you begin your usual daily routine. When you are ready, extinguish the candles. Sweep up the cornmeal, take it outside, and bury it in the ground. Put away all ritual items and go on with your day.
For the rest of the day, pay close attention to the god aspects of your personality, actions, or communication style. Complete all of your usual daily tasks from the center of
this golden light that permeates your entire being. Allow the golden light to direct you in your tasks and to inform your decision making.
If you feel as though you have somehow lost your connection to the god energy during the day, repeat the guided imagery exercise and anoint yourself with your essential oil. Take time at the end of the day to journal about your experiences or to share them with a friend.
*** A Word to the Wise: When referring to the “divine” it is in reference to the one universal power that manifests as god, goddess, me, you, a flower, and anything else you can name. The divine is the invisible energy that supports and manifests as anything that can be named. ***
Practice: A Day in the life of the God
What You’ll Need:
* Four yellow or gold candles
* A essential oil of one of the following herbs: chamomile, clove, cinnamon, bergamot
or rosemary
* Cornmeal

 Despite your physical form, gender or gender-based personality traits, this is a good exercise in which to engage to begin the process of incorporating the divine masculine energy into your life. It doesn’t matter if you are the roughest leatherneck around or the laciest frill-seeker — this exercise will hold power and can open you to significant self-understanding.
Allow yourself some time early in the morning to begin this all-day spiritual task. Begin by making a list of personal traits that you feel represent your own god or spiritually masculine characteristics. Your list can include any traits from your physical body (especially if you are male), to your thought processes, activities, actions, and feelings. This list of personal associations with the god energy does not necessarily need to align with the archetypal, symbolic qualities of the god as described in our explorations of this energy. The list should only relate to your own experiences and personal associations with masculine energy.
Once you have your list, mark out a small circle (4-foot diameter) on the floor (or ground) using the cornmeal. Place the four yellow/gold candles at each of the four compass points (north, east, south and west). Find a comfortable sitting position and then anoint yourself with the essential oil at each of your seven chakra (or body-energy) points. For easy reference, here again are the chakra points:
* The point between anus and genitals
* Just above genitals
* Just below the navel
* Center of chest
* Hollow or base of throat
* Center of brow, between eyes
* Top of head
Light the four candles. Now close your eyes and begin to focus on your breathing. As you inhale, focus on expanding the solar plexus region around the navel. Begin to relax your body and imagine that any muscle tension you detect drops away from you so that the earth absorbs it.
Imagine that the solar plexus region of your body begins to radiate a bright, golden light. This is your energetic connection to the god. Allow this radiating light to expand and grow with each inhaled breath. As the golden light grows, imagine that it fills your entire being. Continue to breathe and watch the energy grow until your entire body is Flooded with this golden energy. When you have finished, open your eyes. How do you feel?
Take a few moments to stay centered in this energy before you begin your usual daily routine. When you are ready, extinguish the candles. Sweep up the cornmeal, take it outside, and bury it in the ground. Put away all ritual items and go on with your day.
For the rest of the day, pay close attention to the god aspects of your personality, actions, or communication style. Complete all of your usual daily tasks from the center of
this golden light that permeates your entire being. Allow the golden light to direct you in your tasks and to inform your decision making.
If you feel as though you have somehow lost your connection to the god energy during the day, repeat the guided imagery exercise and anoint yourself with your essential oil. Take time at the end of the day to journal about your experiences or to share them with a friend.
*** A Word to the Wise: When referring to the “divine” it is in reference to the one universal power that manifests as god, goddess, me, you, a flower, and anything else you can name. The divine is the invisible energy that supports and manifests as anything that can be named. ***